This is where the two adversaries stand today as the Jets have parameters of a deal for Abraham worked out with the Seahawks, who are set to give the Jets their 2006 first-round draft pick, the 31st overall.

In turn, though, Abraham and the Seahawks must come to an agreement on a long-term contract.

Abraham, meanwhile, wants to play in Atlanta, which is close to his home in South Carolina. He and the Falcons have agreed on a six-year contract believed to pay him some $14 to $15 million in guaranteed money.

The problem there is that the Falcons are offering the Jets only their second-round pick, the 47th overall in the draft – compensation the Jets see as unsatisfactory.

For this entire mess to be settled, all three parties – Jets, Abraham and the team trading for Abraham – must agree at the same time.

Those parties have until Friday to do so, because Friday is the last day that franchised players can negotiate with other teams. Abraham, of course, has been tagged with the franchise label for the second consecutive year, much to his dismay.

Another wrinkle here is this: Just because the Jets have a deal in place with Seattle doesn’t mean Abraham is obligated to negotiate with Seattle, where he visited early last week.

Abraham, because he still has not signed the franchise offer sheet of $8.33 million, has no obligation to the Jets. Though he still remains Jet property, he may act as a free agent.

It’s a complicated process that has become rather acrimonious.

So, who’ll blink?

The Jets are trying to get the most in the way of compensation in a trade for the three-time Pro Bowl defensive end.

Abraham is trying to have his cake and eat it, too – with fresh fruit on top.

This is clearly an unofficial test for the rookies running the Jets – first-year GM Mike Tannenbaum and first-year head coach Eric Mangini.

In January, Terry Bradway, then the Jet GM, blinked quickly at the stare of his mentor, Kansas City president Carl Peterson by settling for a fourth-round draft pick a compensation for Herman Edwards.

The Chiefs’ fleecing of the Jets was an embarrassment and the Jets took their fair share of criticism for caving.

Now the question is this: Will Tannenbaum and Mangini cave, too? Or will they hold the hard line and get what they should for Abraham?

On the surface, it looks as if Atlanta needs to pony up with a better deal if it wants Abraham. The Falcons might have to add their No. 1 draft pick in 2007 to the pot to satisfy the Jets.

As it stands, the Falcons have already denied the two things the Jets wanted most – backup QB Matt Schaub and a second-round pick or Atlanta’s first-round pick, the 15th overall selection in the draft.

If Atlanta doesn’t up its offer to the Jets, then Abraham might have no choice but to negotiate a deal with the Seahawks.

If he tries to play hardball and refuses, then the Jets could shut this whole thing down and decide to keep Abraham, make him sign the franchise contract and play for them – something Abraham has stated publicly he has no interest in doing anymore.

As if there weren’t enough twists and turns to this saga, there’s a brewing battle between the Seattle and Atlanta front offices.

Atlanta president and GM Rich McKay is a mentor of sorts for Seahawks GM and president of football operations Tim Ruskell, who worked for him in Atlanta before going to Seattle.